MAORI LEADERS’ OFFER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20040, 12 September 1939, Page 4

MAORI LEADERS’ OFFER

SPECIAL NATIVE FORCE FULL SHARE OF SERVICE The offer of a special Maori force for service beside the European troops raised in New Zealand has been determined upon by elders of the native people of the Gisborne district, who will repeat to the Government the pledge which resulted in 1914-15 in the raising of the famous Maori Battaliop. A condition of the offer, which was decided upon at a meeting held yesterday, is that the Maoris should be permitted to take a full share In whatever service is allotted to New Zealanders generally, and that they will stand side by side with their European brethren on an equal footing in all sacrifices demanded by the war.

Those present at the meeting, held at Poho-o-Rawiri, were Messrs. Pare Keiha, chairman, Ruku Hinaki, Henare Ruru, Huru Nikora, Tamate Teniti, Kohikohi Kerekere, Henare Kingi, Tiaki Maki, Reta Keiha, Kahutia Te ITau, J. B. Ferris, and about 50 other influential natives of the district. Offer Made in 1914 The chairman outlined what had happened in 1914, when the Maori people, led by Sir James and Lady Carroll, the Hon. Wi Pere, M.L.C., Sir Apirana Ngata, Mr. Henare Ruru, Mr. Wi Potae and others made the offer to the Government of that time of the service of the whole Maori people in this district. Thai offer led eventually to the formation of the Maori Battalion, in which the whole tradition of New Zealand’s native race centred. Throughout the Great War, the regiment served with distinction, winning the respect of their commanders in every theatre of war in which they operated. New Lead for Maori People Since the country was now at war again, it was felt that the sons of the old leaders and the contemporaries of the men who fought in the old Maori Battalion should take it on their shoulders to give a new lead to the Maori people generally. They were prepared to accept the responsibility of renewing the offer made by their elders in 1914, and felt that they would have the whole of the Maori people behind them in that offer.

The outline given by the chairman was enthusiastically endorsed by the meeting, which especially emphasised the wish that the Maori soldiers! should serve on equal terms of sacrifice alongside their white brethren.

By a resolution of the meeting, it was formally decided to renew the 1914 offer, and to forward it through Sir Apirana Ngata to the Government, with the additional offer of the use of all meeting-houses and other tribal property throughout the district in case of need.

It was decided further that a ladies' committee be formed at once, with Mrs. W. E. Bullivant as convener, to undertake patriotic work in whatever form might seem most necessary at any time.